Misplaced Modifiers A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies / describes. Because of the separation, sentences with this error often sound awkward, ridiculous, or confusing. Furthermore, they can be downright illogical.

Sample Item A.Broken and dusty, Clarence found an old computer in the garage. B.Broken and dusty, the garage had an old computer that was found by Clarence. C.In the garage, Clarence found an old computer that was broken and dusty. A.Broken and dusty, Clarence found an old computer in the garage. B.Broken and dusty, the garage had an old computer that was found by Clarence. C.In the garage, Clarence found an old computer that was broken and dusty. Are the modifiers placed correctly at A, B, or C ? Are the modifiers placed correctly at A,A, B, or C?C? C is correct; the computer — not Clarence, not the garage — is broken and dusty. C is correct; the computer — not Clarence, not the garage — is broken and dusty.

Dripping with hot fudge and whipped cream, the children ate banana splits. The children ate banana splits dripping with hot fudge and whipped cream. Well, that sounds as if the children are dripping with the hot fudge ! Well, that sounds as if the children are dripping with the hot fudge ! That’s better! The banana splits are dripping with fudge and cream. That’s better! The banana splits are dripping with fudge and cream.

Quick Test Directions: In the items that follow, choose the sentence in which the modifiers are correctly placed. Let’s see what you can do. Let’s see what you can do.

Item 1 A.Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, Desmond saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake. B.Desmond, sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake C.Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, Mom’s pristine birthday cake caught Desmond’s attention. A.Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, Desmond saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake. B.Desmond, sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, saw Mom’s pristine birthday cake C.Sitting on the top shelf of the refrigerator, Mom’s pristine birthday cake caught Desmond’s attention.

Item 2 A.Loudly slurping the bowl of hot soup, Derrick’s impolite behavior annoyed the other diner patrons. B.As Derrick loudly slurped the bowl of hot soup, his impolite behavior annoyed the other diner patrons. C.Loudly slurping the hot soup, the other diner patrons were annoyed by Derrick’s impolite behavior. A.Loudly slurping the bowl of hot soup, Derrick’s impolite behavior annoyed the other diner patrons. B.As Derrick loudly slurped the bowl of hot soup, his impolite behavior annoyed the other diner patrons. C.Loudly slurping the hot soup, the other diner patrons were annoyed by Derrick’s impolite behavior.

Item 3 A.Seated by the window, Barbara munched popcorn on the long bus ride home. B.Seated by the window, popcorn was munched by Barbara on the long bus ride home. C.Barbara munched popcorn seated by the window on the long bus ride home. A.Seated by the window, Barbara munched popcorn on the long bus ride home. B.Seated by the window, popcorn was munched by Barbara on the long bus ride home. C.Barbara munched popcorn seated by the window on the long bus ride home.

Item 4 A.Rosalind struggled up the three flights of stairs in her new jeans, which were too tight for comfort. B.Too tight for comfort, Rosalind struggled up the three flights of stairs in her new jeans. C.In her new jeans, Rosalind struggled up three flights of stairs, which were too tight for comfort. A.Rosalind struggled up the three flights of stairs in her new jeans, which were too tight for comfort. B.Too tight for comfort, Rosalind struggled up the three flights of stairs in her new jeans. C.In her new jeans, Rosalind struggled up three flights of stairs, which were too tight for comfort.

Item 5 A.Twisting in the strong wind, we knew the hurricane was close as we watched the trees. B.We knew the hurricane was close as we watched the trees twisting in the strong wind. C.We knew the hurricane was close, twisting in the wind, as we watched the trees. A.Twisting in the strong wind, we knew the hurricane was close as we watched the trees. B.We knew the hurricane was close as we watched the trees twisting in the strong wind. C.We knew the hurricane was close, twisting in the wind, as we watched the trees.

Item 6 A.Applying red toenail paint, Will asked Rhonda if she could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to the mall. B.Will asked Rhonda, who was applying red toenail paint, if she could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to the mall. C.Will asked if Rhonda could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to the mall, which was applying red toenail paint. A.Applying red toenail paint, Will asked Rhonda if she could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to the mall. B.Will asked Rhonda, who was applying red toenail paint, if she could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to the mall. C.Will asked if Rhonda could interrupt her beauty regimen to go to the mall, which was applying red toenail paint.

Item 7 A.Struggling with the algebra problem, the pencil tapped nervously on Kenneth’s desk. B.Struggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth’s desk was tapped nervously with the pencil. C.Struggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth nervously tapped his pencil on the desk. A.Struggling with the algebra problem, the pencil tapped nervously on Kenneth’s desk. B.Struggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth’s desk was tapped nervously with the pencil. C.Struggling with the algebra problem, Kenneth nervously tapped his pencil on the desk.

Item 8 A.Marking his score sheet with care, the hope this week was that Byron would pass his vocabulary quiz. B.Marking his score sheet with care, Byron hoped that this week he would pass his vocabulary quiz. C.Hoping that this week he would pass his vocabulary quiz, the score sheet was marked carefully by Byron. A.Marking his score sheet with care, the hope this week was that Byron would pass his vocabulary quiz. B.Marking his score sheet with care, Byron hoped that this week he would pass his vocabulary quiz. C.Hoping that this week he would pass his vocabulary quiz, the score sheet was marked carefully by Byron.

Item 9 A.Splashing in the puddles left by the thunderstorm, Jayanti cooled her hot feet. B.Splashing in the puddles left by the thunderstorm, the cool water refreshed Jayanti’s hot feet. C.Splashing in the puddles, the thunderstorm cooled Jayanti’s hot feet. A.Splashing in the puddles left by the thunderstorm, Jayanti cooled her hot feet. B.Splashing in the puddles left by the thunderstorm, the cool water refreshed Jayanti’s hot feet. C.Splashing in the puddles, the thunderstorm cooled Jayanti’s hot feet.

Item 10 A.Huddled by the door, the rain made the wet kitten cry to come in. B.Crying to come in, the door is where the wet kitten huddled during the rain. C.Huddled by the door, the wet kitten cried to come in from the rain. A.Huddled by the door, the rain made the wet kitten cry to come in. B.Crying to come in, the door is where the wet kitten huddled during the rain. C.Huddled by the door, the wet kitten cried to come in from the rain.